Jet cleaning apparatus with filter means for removing debris from the cleaning fluid



April 22,

Filed Sept. 30. 1966 JET CLEANING APPARATUS WITH FILTER MEANS FORREMOVING E. ZADRON ET AL 3,439,689

DEBRIS FROM THE CLEANING FLUID Sheet of 2 INVENTORS. EM/L Znoeo/v JQLTON5. KENMONTH By Their fltzorneyr. Haze/.9, K/ECH, Pusssu. a KEEN April22, 1969 ZADRON ET AL JET CLEANING APPARATUS WITH FILTER MEANS FORREMOVING DEBRIS FROM THE CLEANING FLUID Filed Sept. 30. 1986 Sheet 3 of2 INVENTORS. EM/L 2002 0! .lqL ra/v S. KEA/Ma/vru 4 2 Their flzforweys.flame/s, K/ECl-I, PUs-ELLQKKEEN United States Patent US. Cl. 134104 5Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A jet cleaning apparatus having acleaning chamber and a sloping wall positioned directly beneath thecleaning chamber. The uppermost zone of the sloping wall is imperforateso that cleaning fluid falling thereon flushes material removed from anarticle being cleaned onto a filter comprising the lowermost zone of thesloping wall. Most of the cleaning fluid and fine sediment return to areservoir below the sloping wall through this filter, larger particlesand the remainder of the cleaning fluid passing over the lower edge ofthe filter means into a debris trap. The trap is provided on the sidethereof opposite the lower edge of the first-mentioned filter with asecond filter sloping upwardly from the bottom of the trap, theremainder of the cleaning fluid returning through the reservoir throughthis second filter.

Background of invention This invention relates to a means for cleaningobjects. More particularly, the present invention relates to a means forcleaning irregularly shaped objects, such as engine blocks. Apparatus isprovided which is particularly adapted for the cleaning of engine blocksand the components thereof, but it should be understood that otherobjects can also be cleaned with such apparatus. For example,carburetors, crankshafts, cam shafts, connecting rods, oil pans, valvecovers, plates, castings, and other workpieces can also be cleaned withthe apparatus provided by this invention.

The apparatus of the present invention in an exemplary embodiment isprincipally characterized by a housing into which the objects to becleaned are placed. A wheeled carriage, rollable along a track, isprovided so that large or heavy objects may be easily positioned withinthe housing. One or more oscillating headers equipped with nozzles areprovided in the housing and the nozzles jet heated cleaning solutionupon the object or objects to be cleaned, the objects being rotated on aspoked ring while being cleaned. The cleaning solution is stored in atank or reservoir to which it is returned after striking the objectorobjects being cleaned, and thereafter the solution is recirculated tothe headers. Successive objects may be cleaned with the recirculatedsolution.

Summary and objects of invention One important feature and distinctadvantage of this invention is that a screen or filter is carried by thereservoir for efficiently filtering the cleaning solution which is beingreturned to the reservoir after impinging upon the object being cleaned.The screen or filter traps larger particles of dirt and other debris onthe top thereof, while allowing liquid and smaller particles of debristo pass readily therethrough. Preferably, the screen or filter ispositioned in an oblique or slanted plane, the slanted screen providinga substantial measure of self-cleaning action. The screen is preferablynot immersed in the circulating cleaning solution in the reservoir, andthus does not tend to readily plug up. The filter should preferably3,439,689 Patented Apr. 22, 1969 cover the entire opening or drain whichserves as a port for the return to the reservoir of cleaning solutionwhich has been jetted through the nozzles in the headers.

Another important feature of the invention is that cleaning thereservoir of debris is simply and efliciently accomplished. For example,the operator can merely attach a hook used to hoist motor blocks andbaskets to a handle on the reservoir, then tilt the tank or reservoirand allow the spent cleaning solution to run" out of the tank. A slantedscreen carried by the tilted side of the reservoir is preferablyprovided, so that the cleaning solution passes through the screen, andthe debris which thereafter remains in the reservoir is practically dryand can be easily removed and disposed of.

In addition to the foregoing features, the present invention providesother important improvements over the prior art and overcomes manydifficulties which are inherent in the cleaning of irregularly shapedobjects such as engine blocks. For example, engine blocks contain manycavities which are difficult to clean by conventional but which whenmingled with oil and greases often form a soap and tend to foam, therebymaking them more diflicult or impossible to pump under pressure to thespray nozzles of the cleaning device. The present invention overcomesthe foregoing problem.

Yet another difficulty which is solved by this invenvention is in thehandling of heavy objects during the cleaning operation.

Thus, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a cleaningapparatus which will automatically clean an irregularly shaped object,such as an engine block, without manual adjustment of the components ofthe apparatus. Handling of heavy objects being cleaned, other thanloading and unloading them from the cleaning apparatus, is eliminated.

A further object of ths invention is to provide a cleaning apparatuswhich will thoroughly remove most or all of the above-noted depositsfrequently found on engine blocks.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatuswhich will clean irregularly shaped objects much more rapidly than waspossible heretofore.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cleaning apparatuswhich will rapidly and automatically clean all parts of an irregularlyshaped object by causing jets of cleaning fluid to impinge against theobject at varying angles and in overlapping paths.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cleaning apparatuswhich will impinge at least one jet of cleaning fluid against anirregularly shaped object along a line inclined with respect to ahorizontal plane, and oscillate such jet through an are along a pathinclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and provide at least onerevolution of relative rotation between the jet and the irregularlyshaped object.

A further object is to utilize in the cleaning apparatus a generallyvertical header having a plurality of nozzles secured thereto, at leastsome of the nozzles having axes which are inclined relative to ahorizontal plane. By oscillating the header while rotating theirregularly shaped object the cleaning fluid is caused toimpinge againstthe object at varying angles and in overlapping paths so as to assurethat substantially all portions of the object, including cavitiestherein, will be contacted and cleaned by the cleaning fluid.

A further object of this invention is to provide an engine blockcleaning apparatus in which the forces exerted by high pressureoscillating streams of cleaning fluid against the engine block aresubstantially balanced. More particularly, the forces may be balanced,to some extent, by providing first and second rotatable headers onopposite sides of the engine block and a plurality of nozzles on each ofthe headers. By inclining some of the nozzles so that the fluid streamsemitted by the nozzles of one of the headers generally oppose thoseemitted by the nozzles on the other of said headers, someforce-balancing is produced. By oscillating the headers through alimited are so that when the first header rotates in a clockwisedirection, the second header rotates in a counterclockwise direction,and vice versa, additional force-balancing occurs. By use of suchforce-balancing means, the lateral forces acting on the engine blockhave a negligible effect on the relatively heavy block. Without suchforce-balancing, it could be necessary to anchor the engine blocksecurely to a support member to prevent it from being moved or tippedwithin the cleaning apparatus, and additional driving force would berequired to rotate the block.

The cleaning fluid generally used to clean engine blocks is a hotcaustic material. Frequently, much of the foreign matter removed fromthe engine block is in the form of oil or grease deposits. In thisinvention the hot caustic is sprayed against the engine block to removethe oily deposits (and particles of debris) and then the mixture of hotcaustic and the grease and oils, or a portion thereof, and particleswhich have been removed, are fed onto an obliquely extending filter. Asthe mixture passes on, over, and through the filter, the largerparticles of debris, such as relatively large metal particles, aretrapped on the upper surface of the filter and the relatively smallerparticles are permitted to pass through the filter, together with atleast a portion of the remaining mixture, and thereafter into thereservoir.

The obliquely extending filter to a large extent has a self-cleaningaction, since it is slanted and the debris thereon tends as itaccumulates to move down the inclined filter. At the lower end of theinclined filter means can be provided for accumulating the largeparticles, such as by providing a basin-like member, one side of whichis provided with a second obliquely extending filter, the two filtersbeing preferably inclined toward each other.

A further object, therefore, is to provide a self-cleaningobliquely-extending filter such as the one described above.

A further object is to provide a second obliquely-extending filter suchas the one described above.

Distinct advantages are provided by this invention in the preferredembodiment of using two such filters. For example, the larger particlescan be accumulated in the basin-like member and readily removed. Thescreens, if required, may be readily removed or replaced. In addition,when it becomes necessary to discharge spent cleaning fluid from thereservoir, to clean the reservoir, and to replace the spent cleaningfluid with fresh cleaning fluid, the reservoir can be merely tipped inthe, direction of the second filter and the spent cleaning fluidpermitted to flow from the reservoir through the second filter. Uponremoval of the second filter the debris remaining in the reservoir canbe easily removed. The debris will generally be practically dry andeasily disposed of.

Upon recirculating cleaning fluid which has been jetted against aworkpiece and has been returned to the reservoir for recirculation to ajet spray means, a serious problem arises in the reservoir when thecaustic cleaning fluid contacts and is mixed with the oil and greasedeposits removed from the workpiece. Such contact produces a soap whichforms a foam in the reservoir and which, if uncontrolled, may overflowthe reservoir and may also cause a pump used for recirculating the fluidto cavitate. Further, it is desirable to heat the caustic material inthe chamber thereby further aggravating the pump cavitation problem.

Accordingly, another object of this invention is to reduce the foamingof the cleaning fluid by dispersing the small particles of debris,described above, throughout the cleaning fluid. Thus, rather thanletting the smaller particles settle to the bottom of the reservoir, itis desirable to agitate the fluid and disperse the smaller particlesthroughout the fluid. It has been found that such dispersion of thesmaller particles eliminates the foaming problem.

A particular object of this invention is to eliminate the foaming of thecleaning fluid by disposing a perforated pipe within the reservoir andconnecting the pipe to recirculate a portion of the cleaning mixture tothe reservoir to hydraulically agitate the fluid contained therein. Inaddition to eliminating the foaming problem, such agitation dispersesthe small particulate matter throughout the cleaning fluid so that itcan be pumped through the jet nozzles along with the cleaning fluid toact as an abrasive cleaning agent.

The workpiece is generally cleaned by hot caustic cleaning fluid. Thecleaning action is improved as the temperature of the caustic solutionis increased and is made still more effective by jetting the hot causticagainst the workpiece under high pressure. However, increasing thetemperature of the hot caustic reduces the vapor pressure of thecleaning fluid, thereby reducing the threshold of cavitation of thepump. Thus, it is important to maintain the temperature of the hotcaustic.

A further object of this invention is to provide a compact packageworkpiece cleaning apparatus including a housing having a reservoir forholding cleaning fluid and a cleaning section communicating with thereservoir through an opening in the cleaning section; a plurality ofnozzles within the cleaning section for directing streams of thecleaning fluid against the workpiece to remove particles, grease, oil,and/or soil therefrom; means for pumping the cleaning fluid from thereservoir to the nozzles; and means to permit the cleaning fluiddirected against the object and the smaller particles removed therefromto flow through a filter positioned in the opening and into thereservoir.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cleaning fluid-levelgauge carried by the reservoir.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top sectional view of one embodiment of the cleaningapparatus of this invention, particularly illustrating in the upperportion of the apparatus means for oscillating a pair of oppositeheaders, and in the lower portion of the apparatus a spoked ring forsupporting and rotating a workpiece to be cleaned;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the arrowed line 2-2of FIG. 1, particularly showing the cleaning section, the cleaning fluidreservoir, and a pair of obliquely extending filters of the cleaningapparatus;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the arrowed line 33of FIG. 1, particularly illustrating the details of the cleaning sectionof the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the details of a header ofthis invention and its components; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the arrowed line 5-5of FIG. 4, particularly showing the details of the lower portion of theheader of FIG. 4.

Description of exemplary embodiment of invention Referring to thedrawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, reference numeraldesignates a cleaning apparatus which includes a housing 12 having acleaning section or chamber 14 and an engine block or other workpieceloading section 16. A tank or reservoir 18 for holding a cleaning fluidor solution 20 is provided below the cleaning section 14 and the loadingsection 16.

The loading section 16 includes a lid or cover 22 which serves the dualfunctions of permitting access to the reservoir 18 and as a base forsupports 24. A track 26 is mounted on the supports 24 (FIG. 2), whichtrack extends from the loading section 16 into the cleaning section 14.The track 26 may be hinged Or divided and slidably movable at or nearthe entrance to the cleaning section 14. A stop 28 may be provided atthe end of either one or both of the rails of the track 26. As indicatedearlier, the lid 22 also permits access to the reservoir 18, the lidbeing slidably movable or hinged at its end proximate to the cleaningsection 14 so that the lid may be opened and closed or removed.

Leading into the cleaning section 14 is a door 30 which may be providedwith hinges 32 to permit entry and exit of a carriage 34 from thecleaning section.

The carriage 34 includes four wheels 36 and is mounted for movementalong the track 26. The carriage 34 also includes a rotatable supportmember 38, which in turn includes a ring 40 and a plurality of spokes 42extending radially inwardly from the ring and welded to a generallycentered bushing 44. One advantage of the support member 38 is that itis easily made and, therefore, is relatively inexpensive. In operation,the door 30 is opened and the carriage 34 is wheeled outside thecleaning section 14 and an engine block or other workpiece to be cleanedis placed on the support member 38. Thereafter, the carriage 34, withthe workpiece, is wheeled into the cleaning section 14 and the door 30is closed and secured. As the door 30 closes it presses against a spring46 mounted on the carriage 34, thus urging the carriage forward andpositioning the carriage firmly in place within the cleaning section 14.

As the carriage is urged forward into the cleaning section 14, the ring40 of the support member 38 engages a rotatable friction drive member 48which provides means for rotating the support member and the workpiecemounted thereon. The drive member 48 may be coated with rubber or othermaterial having a high coeflicient of friction and is driven by a motor49.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, means is provided for emittingstreams of the cleaning fluid 20 against the workpiece, generally anengine block, in the cleaning section 14. Such means preferably includestwo generally vertical headers 50 and 52 rotatably mounted to a basemember or plate 54 of an elongated vertically oriented frame assembly 55(FIG. 5) for oscillation about a generally vertical axis and disposed onopposite sides of the support member 38, as shown in FIG. 3. Each of theheaders 50 and 52 is rotatably mounted as illustrated in FIG. 5. Atubular member 58 is secured to the plate 54 and has an exterior portion60 of reduced diameter for slidably and rotatably receiving an end ofthe header (header 52 being particularly illustrated). An annular washer59 made of Teflon or the like is positioned between the header 52 andthe tubular member 58 at the end of the exterior portion 60 to reducefriction between the rotating header and the tubular member. An annularsealing element 62, such as an O-ring, is positioned between the header52 and the tubular member 58. The header 52 is allowed to oscillaterelative to the seal 62 and the tubular member 58 and the seal 62prevents fluid leakage between the header 52 and the tubular member 58.The base plate 54 forms the bottom of the frame assembly 55 which alsoincludes a pair of opposed vertically positioned L-shaped members 61 andan upper plate 65. The frame assembly 55 is removably mounted to thehousing 12 and within the cleaning section 14 by threaded bolts orscrews (not shown). The entire frame assembly 55 including the header 52is pre-assembled as a unit before mounting within the cleaning section14.

A similar rotary seal arrangement is located at the upper end of theheader 52 (see FIG. 4). A tubular mem- 'ber 64 is secured to the plate65 and has exterior portion 66 of reduced diameter for slidably androtatably receiving the upper end of the header 52. A washer 67a,similar to washer 59, is located between the top of the header 52 andthe tubular member 64. An annular sealing element 67, such as an O-ring,is positioned between the header 52 and the tubular member 64. Theheader 52 is allowed to oscillate relative to the seal 67 and thetubular member 64 and the seal 67 prevents fluid leakage between theheader 52 and the tubular member 64.

The mounting of the headers 50 and 52 completely within frame assemblies55 permits the headers to rotate with respect to the frame assembliesand, in effect, float therewithin. For example, all upwardly directedpressure on the headers 50' and 52 resulting from the surging of pumpedcleaning fluid therewithin is transmitted to the frame assemblies 55through the tubular members 58 and 64.

Particularly referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of nozzles 68 isthreadedly secured to the header 50 and inclined downwardly at a givenangle from a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofthe header, the plane being horizontal in the preferred embodiment. Anangle of up to about 15 has been found particular-1y satisfactory.Preferably, all of the nozzles 68 extend downwardly at the same angleand are fixed relative to the header as no adjustment thereof isrequired. A special angle nozzle 70 may also be provided which extendsdownwardly at a diflerent angle, and horizontal nozzles 72 may also beprovided, or any suitable combination of the foregoing may be used. Thenozzles 70 and 72, if provided, should preferably be oifset horizontallyfrom the plane into which the nozzles 68 emit their jets in order toavoid interference therewith. The nozzles 70 and 72 may be provided todirect streams of the cleaning fluid into otherwise relativelyinaccessible areas. A plurality of preferably upwardly inclined nozzles73 may also be provided. The header 50 also includes a horizontaloverhead pipe 74 which carries a plurality of nozzles 76 which aredirected downwardly toward the workpiece. Preferably the nozzles 76 areinclined downwardly from a horizontal plane at an angle of about 60.

The header 52 has a plurality of nozzles 80* directed upwardlypreferably at the same angle at which the nozzles 73 are directeddownwardly. The header 52 may also be provided, if desired or required,with a special angle nozzle 82, corresponding to the special anglenozzle 70, and/or horizontal nozzles 84, corresponding to the horizontalnozzles 72. Downwardly pointing'nozzles 85, corresponding to the nozzles68, may also be provided. The header 52 also may -be provided with anoverhead pipe 86 communicating with an opening 87 in the plate 65 andhaving a plurality of downwardly pointing nozzles 88, correspondinggenerally to the nozzles 76. There is substantially no distortion of thereservoir 18 and substantially no binding of the headers 50 and 52.

Any of the foregoing nozzles may be of any suitable design and mayconstitute appropriate apertures in the walls of the headers 50 and 52.

Inclining the nozzles 73 and 80 downwardly and upwardly at generally thesame angle relative to their respective headers serves two importantfunctions. First, providing nozzles at various angles insures that allcavities and other relatively inaccessible areas of the workpiece willbe directly contacted -by a stream of the cleaning fluid emitted fromthe nozzles. Secondly, the angular relationship between the nozzles 73and 80 allows the nozzles 80 to emit fluid streams generally inopposition to the fluid streams emitted from the nozzles 73; i.e., the

force exerted by the fluid streams from the nozzles 73 is substantiallycancelled or balanced by the force of the jets emitting from the nozzles80. As the fluid streams emitted by the nozzles may be under highpressure, if this force-balancing effect is not provided then it mayrequire considerably greater driving force to rotate the supportingmember 38 and the workpiece. In addition, without such force-balancing,the respective fluid streams might tend to tip or move the workpiecewithin the cleaning section 14.

A fixed manifold 90 connects the headers 50 and 52 with a source ofcleaning fluid 20. The manifold 90 is connected to the tubular member 58(of header 52 and correspondingly to header 50). The manifold 90 alsohas a plurality of upwardly pointing nozzles 93 which direct streams ofthe cleaning fluid upwardly between the rotating spokes 42 of the ringand onto the bottom or under portion of the workpiece. A U-bolt 91secures the manifold 90 to the base plate 54. Specifically, asillustrated in FIG. 5, the U-bolt 91 retains the manifold 90 within arecess 92 in the plate 54 with a manifold opening 94 positioned inalignment with a base plate opening 95 and the interior of the tubularmember 58. An annular sealing member 96, such as an O-ring, ispositioned around the opening 94 and between the base plate 54 and themanifold 90. The manifold 90 is connected to the header in a mannersimilar to that described herein above regarding the header 52.

Although the use of two opposed headers in generally preferred, itshould be understood that any suitable number of headers may beemployed. If desired, several rows of nozzles ejecting fluid streams inone or more directions may be provided on each of the headers.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, means is provided to rotateand oscillate the nozzles 68, 72, and 73 and the header 50 and thenozzles 80, 82, 84, and and the header 52 along predetermined arcuatepaths for causing the cleaning fluid 20 to strike various portions ofthe workpiece and at varying angles of impingment in the same area. Suchmeans includes a motor 97 driving an adjustable crank 97a secured to acentrally located motor shaft 98, a pair of links 99 and 100 pivotallyconnected to the crank 97a and a pair of headerassociated driving linksand 112 pivotally connected to the links 99 and 100, respectively. Thedriving links 110 and 112 are rigidly connected to the respectiveheaders 50 and 52. It is apparent that rotation of the motor 94 willcause oscillation of the headers 50 and 52 through the above describedlinking means. Oscillation of the nozzles through an arcuate patternprovides comprehensive coverage of the rotating workpiece.

The rotating and oscillating means will cause the header 50 to rotate ina clockwise direction when the header 52 is rotating in acounterclockwise direction and will cause the header 50 to rotate in acounterclockwise direction when the header 52 is rotating in a clockwisedirection. The nozzles in the headers 50 and 52 have a dead centerposition in which the fluid jets emitted from the nozzles are all insubstantially the same plane, such plane also preferably including thelongitudinal or central axes of the cleaning section 14 and the carriage34. As the motor 97 rotates the shaft 98, the headers 50 and 52 rotateat the same rate from the dead center position. The purpose of rotatingand oscillating the headers 50 and 52 together in this fashion is toreduce the force acting on the engine block tending to resist rotationthereof with the support member 38. That is, if the nozzles were tooscillate so that they would exert a couple on the workpiece, then amotor 49 having a greater horsepower would be required to rotate thesupport member 38.

For all-purpose work it has been found that rapidly oscillating theheaders through approximately 12 to 15 cycles per minute while rotatingthe support member 38 and the workpiece about once every two minutesproduces optimum results. The arc through which the headers 50 and 52are oscillated is preferably about 60. At the extremities of the cyclethe jets of cleaning fiuid are preferably tangential to the workpiece.Of course, the speed of the rotation of the support member 38, the speedof oscillation of the headers 50 and 52, and the length of the arethrough which the headers oscillate can all be appropriately varied tosuit particular cleaning requirements of the specific object beingcleaned. Oscillation through a 60 cycle (30 on each side of the deadcenter position) has only a slight effect on force-balancing of thefluid streams.

An important feature of this invention is that the nozzles on theheaders 51) and 52 preferably oscillate through a number of cycles whichis not a whole number while the support member is rotated through onerevolution. By operating in this manner, the jets of cleaning fluidstrike different portions of the workpiece during each successiverotation of the support member 38. By way of illustration, after aboutfive to seven rotations of the support member 38 substantially everypoint on the surface of the workpiece will have been subjected to adirect or close blasting of the jets of the cleaning fluid 20. Thus, anentire engine block may be cleaned without manual adjustment of thenozzles. In some instances an entire engine block may be thoroughlycleaned within two minutes. Still another advantage of the rapidoscillation of the nozzles and the slow rotation of the support member38 is to insure that each of the jets of cleaning fluid will strikedirectly against the surface fluid from adjacent rather than impingingagainst spent fluid from an adjacent or opposed nozzle, therebydissipating much of the energy of the jet prior to the time the jetstrikes the workpiece.

As indicated earlier, one distinct advantage of the present inventionresides in the eflicient filtering and reusing of the cleaning fluid.Thus, as illustrated particularly in FIG. 2, the cleaning fluid 21}after impinging against the workpiece drains downwardly within thecleaning section 14 onto a downwardly sloping wall or base plate 116 andtoward an opening 114. The base plate 116 constitutes the upper zone ofa sloping wall the lower zone of which comprises a filter or filtermeans 118. The base plate 116 in turn directs the cleaning fluid ontothe sloping filter 118.

As the cleaning fluid 20 flows downwardly over the base plate 116 andonto the filter 118 it carries with it both relatively large particlesof debris and relatively small particles of debris which have beenremoved from the workpiece. The larger particles are readily trapped onthe upper surface of the slanted filter 118, but the filtered cleaningfluid 20 containing the smaller particles is permitted to rapidly passthrough the filter and into the reservoir 18, from which the cleaningfluid is pumped back to the nozzles for reuse, as will be hereinafterdescribed. The perforations in the filter 118 are generally about0.015-0.030 openings. The filter 118 has a substantial self-cleaningaction, since as the larger particles of debris accumulate on the uppersurface of the filter they are flushed downwardly along the surface ofthe sloping filter into a basin or trap 120 located at the lowermost endof the filter 118. A second filter 122 is also provided sloping upwardlyaway from the bottom of the trap 120. The filter 122 serves to filterany of the cleaning fluid 20 which may pass into the trap 120, as Wellas serving another important function, as will be hereinafter described.Because of its slope the filter 122 produces a self-cleaning actionsimilar to the filter 118, which is important in a rapidly recirculatingsystem such as that provided herein.

Preferably, the filter 118 is not immersed in the cleaning fluid 20contained in the reservoir 18, and thus the filter does not tend to plugup. The base plate 116 extends over the entire width of the cleaningchamber 14 and the filter 118 covers the entire area above the cleaningfluid level between the end of the base plate 116 and the 9. tfa 120 isa trough-shaped unit having a bottom 120a an upstanding side walls 121.Similarly, the filter 122 covers the entire width of the reservoir 18from the bottom of the trap 120 to the exterior wall of the reservoir18. Thus, the cleaning and loading sections 14 and 16, respectively, aresubstantially separated from the interior of the tank 18 by the baseplate 116, the filter 118, the trap 120, and the filter 122. The filters118 and 122 are removable from the apparatus for replacement or, in theevent it is required, manual cleaning thereof. It should also be notedthat the filter 122 and the trap 120 may be connected so as to form anintegral unit. Thus, when it is desired to remove the filter 122 andtrap 120 from the reservoir 18 for cleaning, a hook from the hoist usedto lift engine blocks onto the loading section 16 may be secured to aring or handle 123 located on the trap 120 and the entire integral unitlifted from the reservoir.

After the cleaning fluid 20 containing the smaller particles of debrishas passed through the filter 118 and in some instances through thefilter 122 and into the reservoir 18, it can be reused, and ispreferably reused a substantial number of times. Referring particularlyto FIG. 3, a conduit 124 extends into the reservoir 18 and is connectedto the intake portion of a pump 126. Upon operation of a motor 128 thecleaning fluid 20 is pumped upwardly from the reservoir 18 through aconduit 124, into the intake portion of the pump 126, through aninwardly directed pipe 129 and then through the fixed manifold 90 andthereafter to the headers 50 and 52 and the pipes 74 and 86, and to andthrough the nozzles of the headers and the pipes 74, 86, and 90, beingdirected at, and at least a portion of the cleaning fluid impinging, theworkpiece. It has been found that it is advantageous to provide agenerally straight pump intake rather than a curved intake.

The smaller particles in the recirculated cleaning fluid 20 when jettedagainst the workpiece are considerably abrasive and substantiallyenhance the cleaning action of the cleaning fluid. In addition, thesmaller particles which are dispersed in the recirculated cleaning fluidreduce the foaming of the cleaning fluid. Uncontrolled foaming of thecleaning fluid can cause the reservoir 18 to overflow and can also causethe pump 126 to cavitate. The cleaning fluid 20, it will be remembered,is usually a caustic solution, and when the caustic is mixed with oilsand greases removed from a workpiece such as an engine block, soap andresulting foaming are produced.

It is preferred, therefore, that the smaller particles not be permittedto settle to the bottom of the reservoir 18 but that they be dispersedin the recirculated cleaning fluid 20. Referring particularly to FIG. 3,this dispersion may be provided by a hydraulic agitator which includes acircular perforated pipe 130 lying along or near the bottom of thereservoir 18. The pipe 130 is connected into the manifold 90 from whichit is supplied a recirculated portion of the cleaning fluid 20. The flowof recirculated cleaning fluid to the pipe 130 may be regulated by anautomatic or manual valve (not shown) so that cleaning fluid is onlydirected to the pipe 130 as desired. The fluid discharged by theperforations in the pipe 130 hydraulical- 1y agitates the sludge andabrasive particles which tend to settle to the bottom of the reservoir18 and disperses them throughout the cleaning fluid 20. If desired, ofcourse, other suitable agitation means may be provided such asmechanical agitation means and the like.

The cleaning action of the fluid 20 is improved as the temperaturethereof is increased, preferably to a relatively hot temperature, whichmay be preselected, such as a temperature of about 160 F., and generallythe temperature is within the range of about 160 F. to about 200 F.Heating means which may be provided is illustrated particularly byreferring to FIG. 2. The heating means includes a burner or firebox 132which supplies heat to and through a pipe or heat-exchange member 134,which sup- 10 plies heat to the cleaning fluid 20. Preferably, theburner 132 is operated at a high temperature only when the pump 126 isin operation. As illustrated in this embodiment, a flue 136 is connectedto the heat-exchange member 134 for escape of heat exchanged gases,including heat exchanged air.

The cleaning action of the fluid 20 also increases with the pressure ofthe fluid of the fluid ejected through the nozzles, and the pressureshould, therefore, be high, for example, 500 psi. and above.

Particularly, in high-volume operations, it may be de sirable to utilizea multiple unit or apparatus which is capable of simultaneously cleaninga plurality of workpieces, such as a plurality of engine blocks. Asingle cleaning fluid reservoir and associated components correspondingto those earlier described can be used.

In addition, fixtures (not shown) of various designs may be provided tohold several workpieces such as crankshafts, oil pans, etc. forsimultaneous cleaning. The design of the fixture will depend on theshape and size of the workpiece or workpieces. For example, one suchfixture can be a wire basket. When such fixtures are used, they may bepositioned or secured to the support member 38 in much the same manneras described above. If necessary, means for rigidly'securing thefixture, or engine block or other workpiece, to the support member 38may also be provided.

An important feature of this invention is that in addition to theearlier described function of the second obliquely extending filter 122,the filter also permits simple and efficient cleaning of the trap andreservoir 18 of accumulated and undesired debris. For example, theoperator can open or remove the liquid or cover 22 and merely tilt thereservoir 18 toward the filter 122, such as by attaching to thereservoir a hook used to hoist engine blocks and baskets. The spentcleaning fluid 20 is then permitted to drain through the filter 122, andthe debris in the reservoir 18 is filtered out of the spent cleaningfluid and remains in the reservoir. This debris is practically dry andcan be readily removed and easily disposed of. Access to the debris inthe reservoir is obtained by removing the filter 122 and the trap 120and then reaching manually through an opening 123 into the reservoir.Then the debris is scooped up and removed from the reservoir anddisposed of. Thereafter, fresh cleaning fluid may be introduced throughthe filter 122 or introduced into the reservoir through the opening 123with the filter removed therefrom. The filter 122 may be provided withopenings smaller than those provided in the filter 118 to furtherfacilitate filtering of spent cleaning fluid.

The trap 120 may be cleaned of debris by removing or opening the lid 22and the accumulated debris in the trap then easily removed therefrom anddisposed of.

Other apparatus (not shown) for the present invention may also beprovided, such as a cleaning fluid-level gauge carried by the reservoir18, means for automatically maintaining the level of the cleaning fluid20 in the reservoir by automatically introducing additional (fresh)cleaning fluid or water therein, and means for automatically controllingand maintaining the temperature of the cleaning fluid. Other suitableapparatus known to those skilled in the art may also be provided.

Thus, the present invention provides compact apparatus for rapidly andefliciently cleaning workpieces such as engine blocks and the like, andpermits the reuse of cleaning fluid on successive workpieces, with thedistinct advantages of using the combination of filters described.

Various changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made in thepresent invention by one having ordinary skill in the art withoutnecessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a cleaning apparatus, the combination of:

(a) a supporting structure providing a cleaning-fluid reservoir and acleaning chamber above and communication with said reservoir;

(b) jet means in said cleaning chamber for spraying cleaning fluid fromsaid reservoir on an object to be cleaned within said cleaning chamber;

() a sloping wall carried by said supporting structure and positioneddirectly beneath said cleaning chamber to receive cleaning fluid sprayedagainst the object and debris removed from the object by the cleaningfluid;

(d) said sloping wall having a lowermost zone comprising first filtermeans for removing larger particles of debris from the cleaning fluidfalling onto said sloping wall and for passing a major portion of thecleaning fluid falling onto said sloping wall, and smaller particles ofdebris, to said reservoir;

(e) said first filter means having a lower edge over which at least someof the cleaning fluid falling on said sloping wall, and larger particlesof debris, are discharged;

(f) a trap below and communicating with said lower edge of said firstfilter means for collecting the larger particles of debris dischargedover said lower edge; and

(g) said trap being provided with a second filter means for returning tosaid reservoir the cleaning fluid discharged over said lower edge ofsaid first filter means, said second filter means is located on the sideof said trap opposite said lower edge of said first filter means andslops upwardly from the bottom of said trap.

2. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein at least saidfirst filter means is positioned above the level of cleaning fluid insaid reservoir.

3. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said sloping wallis imperforate above said lowermost zone thereof to cause the cleaningfluid falling on said sloping wall to flood the upper surface of saidfirst filter means.

4. A cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 1 includmg:

(a) an opening in said supporting structure and communicating with saidreservoir through which opening fresh cleaning fluid may be added andspent cleaning fluid and accumulated debris withdrawn; and

(b) means removably secured to said supporting structure for closingsaid opening.

5. A cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first andsecond filter means are removably mounted on said supporting structure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,894,631 7/1959 Levit et al 134111 XR 2,949,120 8/1960 Federighi et al. 134111 XR 1,605,961 11/1926 Loew134111 2,229,663 1/ 1941 Meeker et al. 3,070,104 12/1962 Faust et a1134165 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 607,778 9/ 1948 Great Britain.

ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. l34-1l1,

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PATENT OFFICE Washington, 0.6. 20231 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,439,689April 22, 1969 Emil Zadron et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 47, "the" should read this Column 7, line 29, "in" shouldread is Column 8, line 30, "fluid from adjacent" should read of theworkpiece Column 9, line 1, after "120" insert The trap 120 line 28,"inwardly" should read upwardly Column 10, line 33, "liquid" should readlid Column 11, line 30, "slops should read slopes Signed and sealed this14th day of April 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Commissioner of Patents Edward M. Fletcher, J r.

Attesting Officer

